Parmesan Crusted Beef Burgers

Parmesan crusted beef burgers are a mouthwatering twist on the classic burger, adding a savory element to the juicy beef patty. The combination of grated Parmesan cheese both in and on top of the burger elevates the burger’s flavor and grilled onions and tomatoes take it to a whole new level! 

Summertime is never complete without a juicy burger and these Parmesan crusted beef burgers are one of the tastiest burgers I have ever made! Coated with Parmesan and topped with grilled tomatoes and grilled onions, these beefy patties are ones you will be making all season long. 

Loaded with Parmesan cheese both on the burger and in the beef patty, these Parmesan cheeseburgers will have your mouth salivating with each savory bite. Italian parsley, basil and oregano add bold flavor and familiar comforting taste. 

While I love pizza topped hamburger pie and meatloaf ground beef recipes during the winter, this Parmesan burger recipe is at the top of the list when it is time to fire up the grill! 

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Perfect for summertime: Grilled beef burgers are a summertime favorite and this recipe is one more reason to BBQ this year.
• Juicy and meaty: Skip the fast food joint and make your own burgers at home, they not only taste better they don’t look like someone sat on them!
• Loaded with toppings: A good burger gets only better with the toppings you put on it and for these Parmesan crusted beef burgers we go the extra mile and grill both tomatoes and onions to load them up! 
• Versatile: Parmesan crusted burgers can be made year round on an indoor grill pan or the stovetop. 

Ingredients Needed for Parmesan Burgers

• Ground beef: I prefer lean ground beef that is labeled 80/20.
• Egg: One large egg is needed for binding in this hamburger Parmesan recipe.
• Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese from a block for best taste.
• Italian parsley: Fresh Italian parsley adds bright, herbaceous flavor. 
• Salt and black pepper: Enhances the taste of your Parmesan burgers.

How to Make Parmesan Crusted Beef Burgers

For the beef burgers, in a medium bowl combine the ground beef, egg, parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. 

Using your hands form burgers into 4 patties then coat patties in remaining Parmesan cheese. 

In a medium frying pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and once heated add the beef burgers and cook them until no longer pink and browned, flipping once. Alternately, grill your burgers on outdoor BBQ or use an indoor grill pan. 

Next, prep your onions and tomatoes for grilling. Slice veggies ½ inch thick and drizzle both sides of the tomato slices with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt, oregano and basil. Sprinkle onions on both sides with olive oil, salt and oregano.

Grill tomatoes and onions on a grill pan or outdoor BBQ grill until tender. Grilled tomatoes will be done in about 4 minutes while onions will take a little longer. 

Now it’s time to assemble your Parmesan crusted beef burgers! Place beef burgers on a toasted bun, add a slice of tomato, onion, some lettuce, mayonnaise and an extra slice of Parmesan cheese if desired. 

Variations

• Top with marinara: Top these beef burgers with your favorite marinara or this fresh tomato sauce for a burger Parmesan variation.
• Add a slice of bacon: It adds a smoky taste that takes these beef burgers over the top. 
• Garlic Parmesan burgers: Add 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic to your beef burger mixture. 
• Skip the bun: Grill two portobello mushrooms along with your other vegetables and enjoy the burger between the mushrooms as a low carb option. 
• Skip the beef: Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead! 

Expert Tips

• Firm tomatoes: Ensure that your tomatoes are firm and not overly ripe before grilling or you risk them being mushy. When grilling the tomatoes, I recommend watching those closely so you don’t overcook them (which is easy to do). You don’t want them too soft because they will fall apart. And be sure to not to cut them too thin.
• Make an indent in the burger: Making a small indent in the middle of your beef burger patty will keep it from expanding or bulging too much in the middle. 
• Test for doneness: To test beef Parmesan burgers for doneness, insert an instant read thermometer into the burger, the temperature should register 160°F.
• Burger press: While you can form the patties with your hands a burger press makes it easy to make them evenly sized. 
• Homemade hamburger buns: Fresh toasted burger buns would make these truly special, but you could also use fresh ciabatta bread or even pretzel buns, too! 
• Burgers: should be cooked on medium high heat for 3-5 minutes, and then flip to cook the other side. Be sure to cook the burger enough before flipping or the cheese could start to fall off and it will become a little tricky to flip them.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways you can serve these Parmesan crusted burgers from loading it up with toppings to including a few favorite sides and desserts!

• Burger toppings: Try lettuce, mayonnaise, an extra slice of Parmesan cheese or even some basil pesto or a cheese crisp! 
• Potatoes: Homemade potato chips, oven roasted rosemary potatoes or good ole’ french fries are always great with beef burgers! 
• Grilled vegetables: Try grilled zucchini or grilled eggplant for some delicious side options! 
• Summer desserts: I often serve these burgers around Canada Day or 4th of July and these patriotic fruit tarts add a festive touch to the end of the meal! 

What kind of beef should I use for these burgers?

A lean ground beef is recommended for this recipe as it provides rich flavor without too much fat. 

Can I make these burgers ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the Parmesan burger patties ahead of time. You can either freeze cooked burgers or freeze the prepared raw burgers, thaw as needed, and then fry or grill as the recipe indicates. I do not recommend freezing the grilled onions or tomatoes, though, those are best served fresh immediately after grilling.

At what temperature are beef burgers done?

Parmesan crusted beef burgers are done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F degrees. I will usually remove them from the heat a few degrees before they are done to let them rest. As they rest the internal temperature will rise the remaining few degrees ensuring that my hamburgers remain juicy! 

Do I need to use fresh parmesan for this recipe?

Freshly grated parmesan cheese is recommended because it melts more easily and has a richer flavor compared to pre-packaged shredded varieties.

What’s the best way to grill the onion slices for this recipe?

For the best result, slice and grill the onions over medium heat until they are soft and slightly caramelized, this should take about 5-7 minutes each side.

How thick should the tomato slices be for these burgers?

It’s recommended to slice your tomatoes about a half inch thick to ensure they cook evenly and don’t become too soft.

Should I season the tomatoes and onions before grilling?

Yes, seasoning the onions and tomatoes with a little salt, pepper, and oregano (in addition to these, add basil to the tomatoes) before grilling will enhance their flavor.

Can I prepare these burgers in advance?

Yes, you can make the patties ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to grill. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature before cooking. They will last 1-2 days in the fridge.

How to store leftover burgers?

Store leftover burgers in the refrigerator covered in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave only until warm so you don’t overcook them. 

Can I freeze this Parmesan burger recipe? 

Yes, but you can only freeze the Parmesan burgers, not the grilled veggies. Cool completely then store in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, reheat and enjoy. 

Looking for a new way to enjoy your burgers? Then these Parmesan Crusted Beef Burgers are for you! Buon Appetito!

Updated from June 27, 2016.